Balakhna Cardboard Factory (LLC "BKF") is a pulp and paper industry enterprise located in the town of Balakhna in Nizhny Novgorod Region (93 Revolyutsii Avenue), 15 km from Nizhny Novgorod. The legal entity in its current form was registered on March 15, 2012.[4] The enterprise traces its history to the Balakhna Pulp and Cardboard Mill, commissioned during the period of forced industrialization of the Nizhny Novgorod area in the late 1920s and early 1930s.[5] At various times the organization operated under the names ZAO PO "Poligrafkarton" and OAO "Poligrafkarton," and was part of the "United Paper Mills" holding.[5]
Products and markets
The factory's main line of business is the production of packaging board (paper for corrugating and board for flat layers) and multilayer board (bookbinding board, box board, and tube board).[2] Multilayer board accounts for about half of total output: a unique board-making machine produces several types of products for manufacturers of shoe and interior boxes, folders, board games, textbooks, cardboard cores, and tubes; among other things, enterprises make Palekh lacquer boxes from multilayer board.[1] Its markets cover Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Belarus.[2] Product quality is confirmed by declarations of conformity and sanitary-epidemiological certificates.[2]
Modernization, 2021–2026
Since 2021 the factory has been carrying out a large-scale modernization program: by 2024 total investment had exceeded 900 million rubles.[1] During the reconstruction of the paper-making machine (PM No. 2), the stock preparation equipment was updated, the steam-condensate and vacuum systems were modernized, and a save-all was installed to conserve fiber and water. The factory built its own boiler house and gas-piston power unit, which reduced production costs. In 2024, output of packaging board grew by 24%, and the share of PREMIUM-grade board reached 20% of total production.[1]
In 2025–2026, the assembly of an upper wire table on the paper machine (BDM), the extension of the machine's dryer section, and the installation of new units together with the construction of an additional production building are planned.[1] In parallel, a large-scale reconstruction of the board-gluing machine (KKM) is being completed: its result will be an increase in output to 1,500 tons of multilayer board per month and an expanded range of core board with enhanced strength characteristics.[1]
Financial Indicators and Structure
According to the financial statements for 2021, the revenue of BKF LLC was 2.4 billion rubles (+68% over the previous year), net profit was 133 million rubles, assets were 1.1 billion rubles, and equity was 518.5 million rubles. The average number of employees for the same year was 288.[4] The company's general director is Olga Leonidovna Sitnikova, and its founder is Inna Yevgenyevna Belousova (both since October 2014).[4]
In April 2022, the company suspended shipments of FSC-certified products following the decision by FSC International to exclude Russian wood-based products from the international certification system.[2]
Links
- Official website (balahnakarton.ru)
Sources
- Kommersant (Volga Region) — "BKF Takes Pride in Its Reputation as a Responsible and Reliable Supplier" — Kommersant Nizhny Novgorod
- balahnakarton.ru — BKF LLC — Balakhna Board Mill LLC
- linofire.ru — Balakhna Board Mill
- alestech.ru — Balakhna Board Mill. Company information / Timber industry enterprises. Lestekh Association
- checko.ru — BALAKHNA BOARD MILL LLC — Balakhna — INN 5260325465 — General Director O. L. Sitnikova